Machines for ironing laundry, and similar machines

ABSTRACT

A machine for ironing laundry, or a similar machine with a working part heated by steam, such as an ironing press, ironerdryer, dryer, or a calender, is equipped with a steam generator working in a closed circuit with the heated working part, which may be at least one double-walled cylinder an upper region of which is connected to the upper region of at least one of two evaporating vessels which are arranged parallel to each other below the cylinder and which have their upper regions connected by an equalizing tube and their lower regions connected by finned tubes disposed above a source of heat, the lower regions of the evaporating vessel also being connected to the bottom region of the cylinder, and the machine preferably being provided with a filling valve, a water level indicator, a pressure gauge and an adjustable pressure-stat, in addition to the necessary safety valve, vacuum release valve and air bleeder.

United States Patent Bhavsar Feb. 15, 1972 [72] lnventor: Guy Bhavsa'r, 68, Blvd. des Belges, Lyon,

60, France [22] Filed: Apr. 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 24,766

[30 Foreign Application Priority nm Apr. 30, 1969 France ..6912707 52] 11.8. C1. ..223/51,122/367C [51] int. Cl. ..A4lh 43/00 [58] Field of Search ..223/51, 56, 70, 73, 26, 60, 223/69, 73, 76, 79; 122/367 C; 38/14-17, 71-77; 68/5-10 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,359,916 11/1920 Primrose ..122/367 C X 1,796,512 3/1931 Dhome ...122/367 C X 2,074,410 3/1937 Matthews ..38/56 3,124,283 3/1964 Robbins et a1 ..223/51 3,477,620 11/1969 Rebiscoul ..223/51 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson Assistant Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin Attorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen [57] ABSTRACT A machine for ironing laundry, or a similar machine with a working part heated by steam, such as an ironing press, ironerdryer, dryer, or a calender, is equipped with a steam generator working in a closed circuit with the heated working part, which may be at least one double-walled cylinder an upper region of which is connected to the upper region of at least one of two evaporating vessels which are arranged parallel to each other below the cylinder and which have their upper regions connected by an equalizing tube and their lower regions connected by finned tubes disposed above a source of heat, the lower regions of the evaporating vessel also being connected to the bottom region of the cylinder, and the machine preferably being provided with a filling valve, a water level indicator, a pressure gauge and an adjustable pressure-stat, in addition to the necessary safety valve, vacuum release valve and air bleeder.

1 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure MACHINES FOR IRONING LAUNDRY, AND SIMILAR MACHINES This invention relates to machines for ironing laundry, and similar. machines, such as ironing presses, ironer-dryers, dryers, and calenders, and experience shows that the ones which give the best results are those in which the heated working part, i.e., the cylinder, tank, etc., is heated by steam, the reason for this being that steam conveys instantaneously and by itself the heat it holds, .without needing any components for circulation. This enables a very homogenous distribution of the temperature over all the surface of the heated working parts to be obtained economically.

However, these machines have a disadvantage arising out of the necessity of providing a supply of steam, and which is that a steam generator must be available. Now although relatively large institutions, commercial establishments and industrial undertakings almost invariably have a steam generator available to which the machine can be connected, the case is not the same for small institutions and small washing and ironing businesses where these machines are nevertheless particularly useful.

The invention conveniently fills this gap and enables this category of user to benefit from the advantages of this kind of steam-operated machine, without, however, being compelled to avail themselves of a boiler or a steam generator separate from the machine.

According to the present invention, a machine for ironing laundry, or a similar machine with a working part heated by steam, is equipped with a steam generator which is an integral part of the machine and works in a closed circuit with the heated working part, that is to say, without water having to be added during the course of its operation.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the heated working part comprises a double-walled cylinder, an upper region of which is connected to the upper region of at least one of two evaporating vessels which are arranged parallel to each other below the cylinder and which have their upper regions connected together by an equalizing tube and their lower regions connected together by finned tubes disposed above a source of heat, the lower regions of the evaporating vessels also being connected to the bottom region of the cylinder.

Steam generated by heating the finned tubes collects in the upper regions of the evaporating vessels and in the equalizing tube and passes to the upper region of the cylinder, while condensates in the cylinder collect in its lower region and pass to the lower regions of the evaporating vessels. Thus the ironing machine works by steam without any water having to be added while it is working. At the most, it is sufficient to make a periodical check of the level of the water in the generator.

In addition to parts provided with this generator for its correct working and to ensure its safety, namely, a safety valve, a vacuum release valve, and an air bleeder, there is also preferably provided a filling valve for the water, a water-level indicator, a pressure gauge, and an adjustable pressure-stat.

It is possible to provide one or more cylinders fed with steam from the same closed-circuit generator, and the cylinder or cylinders may be fixed or rotary; and the cylinder or cylinders may, as is well known, be replaced by one or more ironing tanks.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the sole FIGURE of the accompanying schematic drawing which shows a machine for ironing laundry, fitted with a fixed cylinder.

In the drawing reference numerals 2 indicate in a general and very schematic way the machine frame, and 3 indicates the double wall of the cylinder, which is to be supplied with steam, and the invention consists of a steam generator which works in a closed circuit as described below.

Underneath the cylinder 3 are arranged two evaporating vessels 4a, 4b, parallel to each other. These vessels are connected together in their upper regions by an equalizing tube 5. and in their lower regions by several finned tubes 6 (only one being shown) which are disposed above a gas burner 7.

A tube 8 extends from the top of the vessel 4a to a discharge branch 9 into the upper region of the double-walled cylinder 3, and then extends for a further distance to a safety valve 10. Above the branch 9 two small tubes are inserted into the tube 8, one leading to a pressure gauge 12 and the other to a regulating pressure-stat 13.

Two tubes, 14a, 14b respectively extend from the lower regions of the vessels 4a, 4b respectively to the ends of the bottom of the double-walled cylinder 3.

The upper regions of the two 'vessels 4a, 4b are provided respectively with a valve 15 for filling with water and a vacuum release valve 16, and an air bleeder 17 is provided on a tube 18 from the highest part of the double-walled cylinder 3.

After opening the valve 15, filling is effected until the water in the vessels 4a, 4b reaches the level shown by an indicator 19. The valve 15 is then closed, and the gas burner 7 is ignited. After a certain amount of heating, the water in the vessels 4a, 4b evaporates and steam is supplied through the tube 8 to the double-walled cylinder 3, while the condensates return to the two vessels 4a, 4b through the tubes 14a, 14b respectively. Thus the steam generator works on a closed-circuit basis with the ironing cylinder, constantly feeding the latter with steam.

What I claim is:

1. in combination with a laundry ironer having a doublewalled cylindrical member, a closed-circuit steam generator comprising a pair of fluid-containing evaporating vessels positioned below said cylindrical member in parallel-spaced relationship; finned tube means interconnecting the lower portions ofsaid vessels in fluid-conveying relationship; a source of heat below said tube means so as to convert at least a portion of fluid therein into heated vapor; second tube means interconnecting the upper portions of said vessels for equalizing the vapor pressure therebetween; third tube means communicating between the upper portion of one of said vessels and the space defined by the double wall of said cylindrical member in the upper region of said cylindrical member for conveying heated vapor to said cylindrical member space from said vessel; and further tube means communicating between the space defined by the double wall of said cylindrical member in the lower region thereof and the lower portions of said vessels for conveying condensate from said cylindrical member both to said vessels. 

1. In combination with a laundry ironer having a double-walled cylindrical member, a closed-circuit steam generator comprising a pair of fluid-containing evaporating vessels positioned below said cylindrical member in parallel-spaced relationship; finned tube means interconnecting the lower portions of said vessels in fluid-conveying relationship; a source of heat below said tube means so as to convert at least a portion of fluid therein into heated vapor; second tube means interconnecting the upper portions of said vessels for equalizing the vapor pressure therebetween; third tube means communicating between the upper portion of one of said vessels and the space defined by the double wall of said cylindrical member in the upper region of said cylindrical member for conveying heated vapor to said cylindrical member space from said vessel; and further tube meAns communicating between the space defined by the double wall of said cylindrical member in the lower region thereof and the lower portions of said vessels for conveying condensate from said cylindrical member both to said vessels. 